Dreaming: a gateway to the unconscious?

Dreams may be more than random neural noise; they can offer insights into daily life and deeper self-understanding. A panel of experts—psychologist Deirdre Barrett, dream researcher Kelly Bulkeley, and sleep/dream medicine specialist Rubin Naiman—discussed the origins, functions, and meanings of dreams. They considered whether universal symbols exist across cultures, why some dreams are memorable while others are not, and how wisdom traditions have long treated dreams as sources of revelation. The conversation challenged purely neuroscientific views that dismiss dreams as purposeless, instead exploring their psychological and spiritual significance.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Where do our dreams originate from, and what do they tell us? Is there a universal set of symbols that are common to all dreams, regardless of a person's ethnicity or culture? What does dreaming reveal about the unconscious? Why do some dreams remain etched in our memories, whereas others are almost instantly forgotten? Some scientists have adopted the position that dreams are little more than noise in the brain, without any substantive purpose or function. Yet, such a stance seemingly runs counter to the experience of many people who reflect upon and even analyze their dreams, often in search of clues to their daily lives or insights into their deeper selves. Similarly, in virtually all wisdom traditions, dreams are invoked as an important source of revelation or prophecy. Steve Paulson, executive producer and host of To the Best of Our Knowledge, moderated a discussion that included psychologist Deirdre Barrett, dream researcher Kelly Bulkeley, and psychologist and sleep/dream medicine specialist Rubin Naiman; they examined dreams from a variety of perspectives to answer these questions.